Capt Amarinder Singh, Navjot Singh Sidhu agree on strategic policy group

Chandigarh, August 20

Signalling a thaw in ties, Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh and PPCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu met here on Friday and agreed on a 10-member strategic policy group to ensure better coordination between the party and the state government in the run-up to the Assembly elections.

Harish Rawat, AICC general secretary and Punjab affairs in-charge, called it a major step. “My mission in Punjab has been accomplished. Both leaders have realised that they can together become a formidable force,” he observed. Rawat will be in Punjab on August 23 and 24. Sidhu was accompanied by MLAs Kuljit Singh Nagra and Pargat Singh. Headed by the CM, the policy group would include Local Government Minister Brahm Mohindra, Finance Minister Manpreet Badal, Social Security Minister Aruna Chaudhary, Navjot Sidhu, Kuljit Singh Nagra, Sukhwinder Singh Danny, Sangat Singh Gilzian, Pawan Goel and Pargat Singh. The group will review the progress of the various government initiatives. A Cabinet Minister would be available at the Punjab Congress Bhawan from 11 am to 2 pm five days a week for holding meetings with party functionaries. Sidhu said: “Highly positive co-ordination meeting on proposal for roaster (sic) of ministers to sit at Punjab Congress Bhawan.” — TNS